BJP, JD(S) launch padayatra against Bidadi Township Project

The Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party, particularly its State president B.Y. Vijayendra, faced embarrassment after a video surfaced of Mr. Vijayendra casually stating that his party was providing "symbolic" support to the Bidadi Township Project and that farmers were gradually accepting compensation. The video emerged during a drought review meeting in Shikaripur, where Mr. Vijayendra, who is also an MLA for Shikaripur, had a casual conversation with Karnataka Minister Madhu Bangarappa.

When asked about a planned padyatra from Bidadi to Bengaluru, Mr. Vijayendra claimed his party was extending symbolic support, stating that many involved in the struggle were accepting the compensation. The Minister expressed he was not closely following the issue. The video went viral on Sunday, the same day the JD(S) began its padyatra supporting the Bidadi Township issue, despite Mr. Vijayendra not attending the program as he was on a drought tour.

The incident has provided ammunition for the anti-Vijayendra faction, which accused him of being friendly with Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. There are rumors that some party leaders have already forwarded the video to BJP Central leaders, worried that the leader's casual stance could harm the party's morale during the upcoming legislative session fight against the Bidadi Township Project.